Queen's visit marks reconciliation, stirs passion in Ireland

WORLD FOCUS

Published 4:00 am, Saturday, May 21, 2011

Photo: Oli Scarff, Getty Images

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DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 17: Police and protesters clash in the streets adjacent to the Garden on Remembrance where Queen Elizabeth II laid a wreath on May 17, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland. The Duke and Queen's visit is the first by a monarch since 1911. An unprecedented security operation is taking place with much of the centre of Dublin turning into a car free zone. Republican dissident groups have made it clear they are intent on disrupting proceedings. less

DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 17: Police and protesters clash in the streets adjacent to the Garden on Remembrance where Queen Elizabeth II laid a wreath on May 17, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland. The Duke and Queen's visit ... more

Photo: Oli Scarff, Getty Images

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DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 18: Queen Elizabeth II (L) lays a wreath of poppy flowers at the Irish War Memorial Garden in Islandbridge on May 18, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland. The Duke and Queen's visit to Ireland is the first by a British monarch since 1911. An unprecedented security operation is taking place with much of the centre of Dublin turning into a car-free zone. Republican dissident groups have made it clear they are intent on disrupting proceedings. less

DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 18: Queen Elizabeth II (L) lays a wreath of poppy flowers at the Irish War Memorial Garden in Islandbridge on May 18, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland. The Duke and Queen's visit to Ireland is the ... more

Photo: Oli Scarff, Getty Images

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A protestor is restrained outside Dublin Castle, Ireland, ahead of the state dinner in honour of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on the second day of her four-day State Visit to Ireland, Wednesday May 18, 2011. (AP Photo/PA, Niall Carson) UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE less

A protestor is restrained outside Dublin Castle, Ireland, ahead of the state dinner in honour of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on the second day of her four-day State Visit to Ireland, Wednesday May 18, 2011. ... more

Photo: Niall Carson, Associated Press

Queen's visit marks reconciliation, stirs passion in Ireland

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Queen Elizabeth II wrapped up her visit to the Irish Republic on Friday, and it ranked among the most politically freighted of her 60 years on the throne. The trip, the first by a British monarch, offered powerful symbols of reconciliation and drew broad acclaim from Irish politicians. Her status as head of state and the most respected member of the royal family imparted to her hosts a particular gravity, sealing a growing closeness in recent years. For some Irish, strains of "God Save the Queen" offered what once may have seemed an improbable refrain, while streets cordoned off by 8,000 police officers showed how much Irish leaders were aware of the passions the queen's visit could ignite.

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